GINGER PHOENIX a novel by M. Cairol Yakup

Chapter 13

A NIGHT WALKER'S LIFE

Zafira was unsure. She was hungry but scared at the same time. She didn't want to kill anyone. But she had to feed herself and tonight was her first night of doing so. She second guessed herself. She had never done this before. She kept turning for Avery for reassurance and she completely understood that Avery would never repeat his words for twice.

Avery instructed them to pick their own victims now. The three of them were standing on the pedestrian looking at the people who were walking passed them. Avery was teaching them how to mark someone with their vampire's sense. Zafira had already developed the skill while Chris was still figuring out how to do it.

Chris had been a night walker for less than a week and he definitely needed time to adjust with with everything. But the sooner he was going to learn about his new life, the soonerhe would able to help Avery to get Azzim back. The boy's safety was the most important thing and three heads were better than one.

"You two can sense the presence of everyone on this street. You feel every heartbeat and blood flow in them. If you focus yourself to that, you'll notice that everyone here had a different scent." Avery said quietly.

"I feel like everything is mixed," Chris replied. He looked confused. But every heartbeat he heard was like a seductive rhythm to his ear and went to his mouth.

"Good, it means that you're able to tell their smell and their scent. But don't push yourself too hard on it," Avery placed his arm on Chris's shoulder.

Chris nodded. He closed his eyes and so was Zafira. He was as terrified as Zafira but he knew this was what he was going to do if he really wanted to be a vampire. If what his mentor said was true, then he would do it. Killing was not going to be an option.

Zafira exhaled. She found her victim. There was an inviting scent from someone there. She could sense it now. It was a man. The dirty old men had some lust on young girls. She decided to feed on him. Avery could sense where she directed her attention now. He responded to her decision by marking the old man she wanted.

"It's him," She said calmly as she opened her eyes.

The old man was just passing them by. She turned to Avery who gave his approval. Chris was still clueless seeing the both of them exchanging looks to each other.

"So now, we follow him to a place where is less crowded." Avery said.

The three of them walked as though they floated on air. Zafira let her instinct led her as she decided to follow the man with Avery and Chris on her sides. She felt like she could use her strength as she moved with the same speed with her new adopted father and brother.

They followed the man until he reached into the basement of a parking lot in some building. It was a perfect place and situation to prey the victim. Everything was darker than the street and Zafira would not waste any more time.

The old man seemed to know that he was followed although he couldn't really see anyone behind him. Once or twice, he turned around to see if there was someone. Zafira on the other hand seemed to enjoy the fear that was shown on his face. It was like some kind of appetizer sensing his fear and insecurities.

"This is it, child. Do it now," Avery whispered on Zafira's ear.

For the first time, Zafira used her power and swooped from the back of the old man. Avery and Chris stayed and watched as she attacked her very own first victim. She whispered something in his ear based on what Avery had told her earlier before. As soon as the man was hypnotized with her persuasion, she sank her fangs on the man's neck and began sucking on his blood. Her eyes turned blue.